How to Compost Autumn Leaves For Late Spring Use

Composting your autumn leaves is the best way to dispose of them. Not only do you keep those leaves out of the landfill, but composting allows you to create nutrient-rich “black gold” that your garden plants will love. Here are a few tips on preparing your autumn leaves for the compost bin:

Don’t bother shredding your leaves before you put them into the compost bin; whole leaves are better for compost.

Autumn leaves are high in carbon, but low in nitrogen; for balance, add to your compost bin two parts fresh, green grass clippings or other green organic matter to one part leaves.

Moisture is important for decomposition; be sure to add water to your compost initially, and then periodically check the moisture content to make sure that your compost is moist, but not soggy. Add water as needed.

Turning autumn leaves into spring compost doesn’t require much time or effort. If you prepare your compost properly, and check on it periodically over the late autumn and winter months, you should be able to look forward to using that compost when it comes time to plant your garden in late spring.

Overall, making your own compost is not only good for the environment, it’s good for your wallet because it saves you from having to buy compost from the local garden center.

Find out more about what can be put into the compost bin, and what should be left out: Composting Basics.